Then the Adelantado ordered us to be in readiness for the saddle, sending word to Luis de Moscoso to advance from Cale, that he waited for him. As in the judgment of the Field Marshal, and of many others, that they should have to return from Apalache they buried in Cale some iron implements with other things. They reached Caliquen through much suffering because the land over which the Governor had marched lay wasted and was without maize.

All the people having come up, a bridge was ordered to be made over a river that passed near the town. Whereon we crossed the 10th day of September, taking with us the cacique.

When three days on our journey, some Indians arrived to visit their lord. Every day they came out to the road, playing upon flutes, a token among them that they come in peace. They stated that farther on there was a cacique named Uzachil, kinsman of the chief of Caliquen, their lord, who waited the arrival of the Governor, prepared to do great services. They besought them to set their cacique free. Soto feared to do this lest they should go off without giving him any guides. He got rid of them from day to day with specious excuses.

We marched five days, passing through some small towns, and arrived at Napetaca on the 15th day of September. There we found 14 or 15 Indians who begged for the release of the cacique of Caliquen. The Governor declared to them that their lord was no prisoner, his attendance being wished only as far as Uzachil.

The Governor learned from Juan Ortiz, to whom a native had made it known, that the Indians had determined to assemble and fall upon the Christians in order to recover their chief. On the day of which the attack was concerted, Soto commanded his men to be in readiness. The cavalry was armed and on horseback, each one so disposed of in his lodge as not to be seen of the Indians so that they might come to the town without reserve. Four hundred warriors with bows and arrows appeared in sight of the camp. Going into a thicket, they sent two of their number to demand the cacique.

The Governor, with six men on foot, took the chief by the hand, conversing with him the while to assure the Indians. He went towards the place where they were, when, finding the moment propitious, he ordered a trumpet to be sounded. Directly they who were in the houses, foot as well as horse, set upon the natives who, assailed unexpectedly, thought only of their safety.

Of two horses killed, one was that of the Governor who was mounted instantly on another. From 30 to 40 natives fell by the lance. The rest escaped into two very large ponds, situated some way apart, wherein they swam about. Being surrounded by the Christians, they were shot at with crossbow and arquebuse, although to no purpose because of the long distance they were off.

At night one of the lakes was ordered to be guarded, the Christians not being sufficient to en-circle both. The Indians, in attempting to escape in the dark, would come swimming noiselessly to the shore, with a leaf of water lily on the head, that they might pass unobserved. At sight of any ruffle on the surface, those mounted would dash into the water up to the breasts of the horses, but the natives would again retire. In such way passed the night, neither party taking any rest.

Juan Ortiz told the swimmers that as escape was impossible they would do well to give up. This they did, driven by extreme chillness of the water. One after another, as cold overpowered, called out asking not to be killed as he was coming straightway to put himself in the hands of the Governor.

At four o'clock in the morning they had all surrendered save 12 of the principal men who, as more distinction and valiant then the rest, prefer-red to die rather than yield. Then the Indians of Paracoxi, who were going about unshackled, went in after them, swimming, and pulled them out by the hair. They were all put in chains and on the day following were divided among the Christians for their service.

While captives, these men determined to rebel. They gave the lead to an interpreter, one reputed to be brave, that when the Governor might come near to speak with him, he should strangle him. But no sooner was the occasion presented, and before his hands could be thrown about the neck of Soto, his purpose was discovered. The Governor received so heavy a blow from him in the nostrils they gushed with blood.

The Indians all rose together. He who could only catch up a pestle from a mortar, as well as he who could grasp a weapon, equally exerted himself to kill his master or the first one he met. He whose fortune it was to light on a lance or a sword handled it in a manner as though he had been accustomed to use it all his days.

One Indian in the public yard of the town, with blade in hand, fought like a bull in the arena